But then I heard the most beautiful sound in the world. Miller’s laughter. It echoed around me, making my heart slow down. Making my lungs fill up. Making my body stop shaking.
“It’s just a deer,” he said as he crouched down next to me. “It’s okay.” He pulled me to my feet and into his arms, making all thetension and fear evaporate from my limbs. “We’re okay. We’re safe.”
I sobbed into his chest.
“Take a deep breath, Brooklyn.” He ran his hand up and down my back. “In and out. Slowly.”
I listened to his words as my heart slowly stopped racing.
“We’re okay.”
I held on to him like he was my life raft. God, I didn’t know what I’d do if anything ever happened to him.We’re okay.
“I’ve got you,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “It’s just a deer. No one’s out there.”
I peered over his shoulder. The back door was still open. And I could see the deer clearly in our backyard. It was leaning over my garden…eating my tomatoes! “What is that evil deer doing?”
Miller laughed.
“It’s not funny. He’s eating my tomatoes! Shoot it.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“He’s killing Henry Juniors! He’s a terribly behaved deer. Off with his head!”
Miller started laughing harder.
“I’m serious. Go get ‘em!”
It was like Miller couldn’t stop the laughter erupting from his chest. I understood. It was how the tension was draining off him. But I was livid.
“If you’re not going to do it, I will.” I put my hand out for his gun.
He moved it away from me. “No shooting innocent deer. You’re not thinking clearly.”
I glared at him. I was thinking perfectly clearly. Isabella was…Wow. Okay, fine.I wasn’t thinking clearly. I’d just called the deer Isabella. Just because the deer was a demonic tomato killer didn’t mean it was Isabella. I’d been having a nightmare about her before I woke up, and thoughts of her were just colliding in my head. It was so easy to remember the words she’d written in blood on the wall.“You’re next.”If Isabella somehow knew I was still alive, I had no doubt she’d make good on her promise.
Miller looked down at his gun. “But yeah, you should probably learn how to handle this thing. Just in case something happens to me and you need it.”
I scowled at him. “Nothing’s going to happen to you.”
“Just in case.” He held on to it tightly, like he was afraid I’d grab it and shoot the deer.
Which definitely sounded crazy. I’d never hurt an animal.
“Please, Brooklyn. It would give me peace of mind. Just in case something happens and you need to use it while I’m at work.”
“Yeah, fine. But nothing is going to happen to you.” I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed him. “You said it yourself. I’m not bad luck.”
“No. You’re not. If anything you’re my good luck charm.”
I smiled up at him. I liked the sound of that.
Runaway - Chapter 41
2 Years Later - Friday
I waved at Alice from across the restaurant as I put the bakery boxes, filled with pastries and desserts, down on the hostess stand. Alice was the owner of the restaurant Miller worked at. And one of the only people in town I ever spoke to.
